DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 16, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: H&S 11370.1(a) - Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed, H&S 11378 -Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales and H&S 11379(B)-Transportation of Narcotics for Sales
LOCATION: 2300 Block of Needles Hwy, Needles, CA
SUSPECT(S): Justin Veraldi, 45 Years Old, Resident of Fort Mohave, AZ
Matthew Lapiana, 45 Years Old, Resident of Fort Mohave, AZ
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., deputies from the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department contacted Justin Veraldi and Matthew Lapiana during a vehicle check near the 2300 block of Needles Hwy. During the investigation, Justin Veraldi and Matthew Lapiana were found to be in possession of two loaded, unregistered firearms, possession of a controlled substance, and cash consistent with drug sales.
Both, Veraldi and Lapiana were arrested for H&S 11370.1(a) - Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed, H&S 11378 -Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales and H&S 11379(B)-Transportation of Narcotics for Sales. They were transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. Veraldi and Lapiana remain in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department with a bail amount of $90,000.00 each, awaiting a court hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy A. Perkins or Deputy R. Goff of the Colorado River Station / Needles Police Department at (760) 326-9200. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information online at www.wetip.com.
For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on X at: @CORiverStation or Facebook and Instagram at SBCSDColoradoRiverStation.
Refer: Deputy A. Perkins or Deputy R. Goff
Station: Colorado River Station / Needles Police Department
Phone No. (760) 326-9200
Case No. 212500589
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
